(vi) Weather Conditions for Operations

E-Boats did not usually put to sea if the sea is over Force 3, though they were able to proceed without undue difficulty in seas up to Force 5 or 6.

(vii) Personnel for E-Boats

Prisoners complained of the poor quality of the present rectuits to E-Boats, many of whom had had little or no training.

(viii) Decorations

Decorations are awarded as follows: -
After 12 sorties : E-Boat Badge.
After 25 sorties : Iron Cross, 2nd Class.
After 50 sorties : Iron Cross, 1st Class.
After 85-90 sorties : The German Cross (Deutsches Kreuz).

(ix) E-Boat Formations

When several flotillas are concerned, boats normally sail in line ahead, with the Senior Officer of each flotilla leading his boats. When only one flotilla is concerned, however, the boats usually sail in one or more groups in line abreast.

E-Boats generally work in groups of three, though they sometime operate in groups of two when all boats of a flotilla are not available. This applies equally to minelaying and torpedo sorties. For a major operation u to five such groups may operate in concert.

(x) Sailing Orders

Sailing orders are usually received in the course of the afternooon preceeding the proposed operation.

(xi) Call-Signs

E-Boats use their captain's Christian names as call-signs. If a captain transfers to another boat or elsewhere, the boat assumes the name of the incoming captain.

(xii) Contact with Base

While on patrol, the W/T operator listens on the shore wavelength for any signals from base.

(xiii) Method of Rendezvous

Prisoners stated that E-Boats do not usually rendezvous at British buoys, but in their own grid-squares.

(xiv) Routes across North Sea

E-Boats proposing to operate off the East Anglian coast normally follow a northerly route across the North Sea.

(xv) Anxiety over Detection

Captains and crews of E-Boats have lately become increasingly anxious at the ease with which the British detect them. They feel that their own equipment is inadequate for informing them whether or not they are detected. Some captains are believed to have made representations to the S. O., E-Boats, in this respect, and some prisoners said they hoped their boats might soon be provided with hydrophones or R.D.F. E-Boat captains invariably assume that the British will detect their presence, either with R.D.F. or otherwise, as soon as they approach the English coast.

(xvi) Loud Hailers

Loud hailers are never fitted to E-Boats.

(xvii) British Buoys

E-Boat captains have an intimate knowledge of the position of British buouys off East Anglia. Prisoners stated that the Germans have not laid buoys near the British min barrier.

(xviii) British Minefields

Prisoners themselves had no exact knowledge of British minefields, but were of opinion that their officers were accurately informed. Ratings thought them to be about 20 miles from the English coast.

(xix) Link Boats between Groups

There are normally no link boats between groups of E-Boats, either on torpedo or minelaying sorties.

(xx) Reconnaissance Boats

Reconnaissance boats are not used.